OIB ANNIVERSARY: FMU students recall friend who died in OIB blaze

Many students at Francis Marion University say though they may not have known all of the Ocean Isle Beach fire victims personally, they’re all feeling the pain of the tragedy.

Students at FMU say word of Sunday’s tragedy, hit hard.

What spread faster than every student’s sense of amazement though, was their ability to identify with the victims.

“It’s hit pretty close to home as far as who’s involved and it was like a sudden thing and I know a bunch of us go on trips all the time to different places all over the state.. and stuff like this just doesn’t happen…you don’t think about things like this happening to your friends,“ said F.M.U. Senior Brandon Blankenship.

Many students said they often took beach trips with their friends and never thought about the possibility of danger or deadly accidents.

“I’ve been down to the beach with a fraternity and all that you have a good time and you just don’t think about it, you just don’t think about it, otherwise and until something happens, no one really talks about it,“ said F.M.U. Senior Bryan Lewis.

Brandon Blankenship said he knew Will Rhea through friends, and couldn’t imagine that someone so vibrant would ever become such a tragic victim.

“He was laidback, he liked to have a good time, had a lot of friends everywhere so I mean just a typical college kid, enjoying college life,“ said Blankenship.

Many students say the pictures of what’s left of the home in Ocean Isle Beach will serve as a sobering reminder of just how short, and precious, life can be.

“It’s difficult to look at that and think somebody’s parents or somebody’s friends are gonna come back and they’re gonna have to look at that,“ said Lewis.

“It’s really brought a bunch of us closer to home as far as thinking about what could happen,“ said Blankenship.

Many students say they want to personally extend their heartfelt sympathies to each family involved in the fire.